Magnetically-coupled multi-component communication devices and methods

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of two-way communication devices and tracker devices are presented. Such a device may include a processing unit, comprising: a housing, one or more processors; a microphone, a speaker; and a first electrical connector for receiving power, wherein the one or more processors, the microphone, and the speaker are housed by the housing. Such a device may include a wristband that includes one or more integrated power sources that are permanently housed within the wristband. The one or more integrated power sources may have a second electrical connector to supply power to the processing unit when the processing unit is removably coupled with the wristband. The device may include a plurality of magnets to removably couple the processing unit with the wristband.

CROSS REFERENCES

This Application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/041,943, filed on the same day, Feb. 11, 2016, entitled “SwappableMulti-Component Communication Devices and Methods,” the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Wearable smart devices can provide wearers and other users with usefulinformation. For instance, a wearable smart device can be used to trackactivity of an elderly person, such as to determine if he has left homeunexpectedly. Further, wearable smart devices can be worn to track aperson's physical activity, such as how far he has travelled orexercised on a given day. One difficultly with wearable smart devices isproviding such devices with power. Typically, a wearable smart device isseparated from a user's body to charge. However, while the device isseparated from the wearer, the device cannot effectively track activityof the wearer.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a two-way (or one-way) communication device ispresent. The device may include a processing unit, including: a housing,one or more processors; a microphone, a speaker; and a first electricalconnector for receiving power. The one or more processors, themicrophone, and the speaker may be housed by the housing. The device mayinclude a wristband. The wristband may include one or more integratedpower sources that are permanently housed within the wristband. The oneor more integrated power sources may have a second electrical connectorto supply power to the processing unit when the processing unit isremovably coupled with the wristband. The device may include a pluralityof magnets to removably couple the processing unit with the wristband.The plurality of magnets may removably couple the processing unit withthe wristband causes the first electrical connector to be electricallyconnected with the second electrical connector.

Embodiments of such a device may include one or more of the followingfeatures: The wristband may include a first band section and a secondband section and the one or more integrated power sources arepermanently housed within either the first band section, the second bandsection, or both the first band section and the second band section. Thefirst band section may include a first magnet of the plurality ofmagnets, the second band section may include a second magnet of theplurality of magnets, and the processing unit may include a third magnetand fourth magnet of the plurality of magnets. The device may include afastening system to removably couple the first band section with thesecond band section. The processing unit may include a plurality ofsliders, wherein the plurality of sliders are configured to slide into aplurality of slide paths present on the first band section and thesecond band section. The plurality of slide paths present on the firstband section and the second band section may permit the processing unitto be removably coupled with the first band section and the second bandsection from a wrist side of the first band section and the second bandsection. The second electrical connector may be integrated with a magnetof the plurality of magnets. The device may include a global positioningsystem (GPS) sensor that receives power from the one or more integratedpower sources of the wristband. The processing unit may include awireless transmitter that is configured to periodically transmit anindication of location of the two-way communication device determinedusing the GPS sensor. The one or more integrated power sources may beconfigured to be recharged via the second electrical connector while thewristband is detached from the processing unit.

In some embodiments, a two-way communication apparatus is presented. Theapparatus may include a processing unit. The processing unit mayinclude: a housing means (e.g., made from a rigid or semi-rigid materialsuch as rubber, plastic, or metal), a processing means (e.g., one ormore processors and/or controllers); an audio input means (e.g., one ormore microphones), an audio output means (e.g., one or more speakers);and a first power connection means (e.g., an electrical contact orconnector), wherein the processing means. The audio input means, and theaudio output means may be housed by the housing means. The apparatus mayinclude a wristband means (e.g., straps, bands, or other components towrap around a user's wrist). The wristband means may include one or moreintegrated power means (e.g., one or more batteries and/or capacitors)that are permanently housed within the wristband means. The one or moreintegrated power means may have a second power connection means (e.g.,electrical contact or connector) to supply power to the processing unitwhen the processing unit is removably coupled with the wristband means.The apparatus may include a plurality of magnetic means (e.g., magnets,ferromagnetic metal) to removably couple the processing unit with thewristband means, wherein the plurality of magnetic means removablycoupling the processing unit with the wristband means causes the firstpower connection means to electrically connect with the second powerconnection means.

Embodiments of such an apparatus may include one or more of thefollowing features: The wristband means may include a first band sectionand a second band section and the one or more integrated power means arepermanently housed within either the first band section, the second bandsection, or both the first band section and the second band section. Thefirst band section may include a first magnetic means of the pluralityof magnetic means, the second band section may include a second magneticmeans of the plurality of magnetic means, and the processing unit mayinclude a third magnetic means and fourth magnetic means of theplurality of magnetic means. The apparatus may include a fastening means(e.g., buckle, clasp, Velcro, pegs/coupling holes, etc.) to removablycouple the first band section with the second band section. Theprocessing unit may include a plurality of slider means, wherein theplurality of slider means are configured to slide into a plurality ofslide path means present on the first band section and the second bandsection. The plurality of slide path means present on the first bandsection and the second band section may permit the processing unit to beremovably coupled with the first band section and the second bandsection from a wrist side of the first band section and the second bandsection. The second power connection means may be integrated with amagnet of the plurality of magnetic means. The apparatus may include aglobal positioning system (GPS) sensor that receives power from the oneor more integrated power means of the wristband means. The processingunit may include a wireless transmitting means (e.g., short rangewireless transmitter, 802.11 wireless network interface, WiFi Directinterface, Bluetooth interface, etc.) that is configured to packetizeddata comprising audio received via the audio input means. The one ormore integrated power means may be configured to be recharged via thesecond power connection means while the wristband means is detached fromthe processing unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of variousembodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a tracker device.

FIG. 2A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment ofmagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded angled view of an embodiment of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of an embodiment of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 4A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a first removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a first removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a first removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 4D illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a first removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 4E illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a first removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 5A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a secondremovable band section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece trackerdevice.

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a second removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a second removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a second removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 5E illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a second removableband section of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 6A illustrates an angled top view of an embodiment of a processingunit of a magnetically-coupled multiple piece band.

FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a processing unit ofa magnetically-coupled multiple piece band.

FIG. 6C illustrates another side view of an embodiment of a processingunit of a magnetically-coupled multiple piece band.

FIG. 6D illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a processing unit ofa magnetically-coupled multiple piece band.

FIG. 6E illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a processing unitof a magnetically-coupled multiple piece band.

FIG. 7A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a removablecomponent tracker device.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a removablecomponent tracker device.

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a removable componenttracker device.

FIG. 8B illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a removablecomponent tracker device.

FIG. 8C illustrates a first side view of an embodiment of a removablecomponent tracker device.

FIG. 8D illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of a removablecomponent tracker device.

FIG. 9A illustrates the second side view of FIG. 8D with an indicationof a cross section.

FIG. 9B illustrates the cross section denoted in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a processingunit of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 10B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a processing unit ofa removable component tracker device.

FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a processing unitof a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 10D illustrates a first side view of an embodiment of a processingunit of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 10E illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of a processingunit of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 10F illustrates a third side view of an embodiment of a processingunit of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 11A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a battery unitof a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 11B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a battery unit of aremovable component tracker device.

FIG. 11C illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a battery unit ofa removable component tracker device.

FIG. 11D illustrates a first side view of an embodiment of a batteryunit of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 11E illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of a batteryunit of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 11F illustrates a third side view of an embodiment of a batteryunit of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 12A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a flexible bandhousing of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 12B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a flexible bandhousing of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 12C illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a flexible bandhousing of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 12D illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a flexible bandhousing of a removable component tracker device.

FIG. 13A illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of a flexibleband housing of a removable component tracker with an indication of across section.

FIG. 13B illustrates the cross section denoted in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledtracker device.

FIG. 14B illustrates an exploded angled view of an embodiment of aslide-coupled tracker device.

FIG. 15A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledtracker device.

FIG. 15B illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledtracker device.

FIG. 15C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledtracker device.

FIG. 15D illustrates another side view of an embodiment of aslide-coupled tracker device.

FIG. 16A illustrates an angled top view of an embodiment of aslide-coupled single-piece wristband.

FIG. 16B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledsingle-piece wristband.

FIG. 16C illustrates a second view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledsingle-piece wristband.

FIG. 16D illustrates a third side view of an embodiment of aslide-coupled single-piece wristband.

FIG. 16E illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledsingle-piece wristband.

FIG. 17A illustrates an angled top view of an embodiment of a combinedprocessing and battery unit.

FIG. 17B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a combinedprocessing and battery unit.

FIG. 17C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a combinedprocessing and battery unit.

FIG. 17D illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of a combinedprocessing and battery unit.

FIG. 17E illustrates a third side view of an embodiment of a combinedprocessing and battery unit.

FIG. 17F illustrates a fourth side view of an embodiment of a combinedprocessing and battery unit.

FIG. 17G illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a combinedprocessing and battery unit.

FIG. 18A illustrates an angled top view of an embodiment of a removablewristband clasp.

FIG. 18B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a removablewristband clasp.

FIG. 18C illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of a removablewristband clasp.

FIG. 18D illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a removablewristband clasp.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of a method for swapping power sourcesfor a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a method for swapping power sourcesfor a removable component tracker device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of a wearable activity tracker, two-waycommunication device, or one-way communication device (collectivelyreferred to as “tracker” devices for short) are detailed herein thatallow for a power source of the tracker that has a depleted charge to bequickly switched with another power source that has a sufficient chargeto power use of the tracker. A useful arrangement may generally involvea first power source being charged while a second power source isinstalled on the tracker. When the second power source is depleted, thepower sources are switched, the first power source is used to charge thetracker, and the second power source is recharged.

Being able to quickly swap a power source may be useful for multipletypes of trackers. For a tracker that is used for two-way communication,it may be useful to be able to switch power sources such that the user(also referred to as a “wearer”) can at any time communicate withanother remote person, such as a caretaker. As another example, for atracker that is focused on personal activity (e.g., exercise, sleep), itmay be useful to be able to switch power sources before a user goes tobed. As such, little time elapses when the tracker is removed from thewearer's body. This arrangement may effectively allow the wearer'sactivity to be tracked during the day when he is active and also when heis trying to sleep or asleep (e.g., to monitor sleep patterns). For atracker device that is focused on monitoring the location of a person(e.g., for safety), being able to quickly switch power sources for thetracker may be of high importance—especially because such a tracker maybroadcast a location of itself and, thus, consume a greater amount ofpower. Further, if a tracker is being used to track an elderly person orchild, it may be important that a significant period of time with thetracker removed from the wearer not elapse. By having a power sourcethat can be quickly swapped out, a high up time of the tracker can beachieved.

In some embodiments, one or more power sources (e.g., batteries orhigh-capacity capacitors) can be permanently housed within one or morestraps of a wristband. The wristband may be removably connected with aprocessing unit that houses the majority of the electrical components ofthe tracker device, such as a location sensor (e.g., GPS sensor), motiondetector (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope), one or more processors, and awireless communication interface. The processing unit may be attachedwith the wristband via magnets and sliders. When the magnets and slidersare fully engaged, the processing unit may receive power from one ormore power sources, such as one or more batteries, present within thewristband.

In other embodiments, the processing unit may be slid into and out of acavity on the wristband having the permanently attached battery. Thiscavity may be accessible via a side of the wristband, thus allowing theuser to continue wearing the wristband when the processing unit isremoved. In a variation on such an embodiment, rather than the powersource being permanently coupled with the wristband, the power sourcemay be removed via the cavity of the wristband along with theprocessing/location unit. Alternatively, the power source may bepermanently coupled or removably coupled with the processing unit. Theprocessing unit in combination with the power source may be slid intoand out of the cavity of the wristband from a side access port of thewristband.

In another embodiment, the battery may be attached with the processingunit while the battery and processing unit is separated from thewristband; then the coupled battery and processing unit may be insertedas a single unit into a cavity of the wristband accessible only from anunderside of the wristband (and is thus accessible only while thewristband is off of a wearer's wrist).

Further, in the above embodiments, by the processing/location unit beingremovable from the wristband, the processing/location unit can beremovably attached as a pendant to be worn around a wearer's neck or,alternatively, worn by the user in an alternate form (e.g., placed inpocket, worn as an anklet, etc.). The pendant may have its own powersource permanently incorporated as part of the pendant or a removablepower source that is coupled with the processing unit prior to theprocessing unit being attached to the pendant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a tracker devicesystem 100. Such a tracker device system 100 (which can also be referredto as a two-way communication device system) can be used for activitymonitoring, sleep monitoring, exercise monitoring, wearer tracking,two-way communication, and/or other purposes. Tracker device system 100may include: wristband 110, processing unit 120, power source 130,recharger 140, and pendant 150. It should be understood that in otherembodiments of tracker device system 100, fewer or additional componentsmay be included. For example, in other embodiments of tracker devicesystem 100, pendant 150 may not be present. In some embodiments,additionally or alternatively, another mechanism may be included as partof the system for coupling processing unit 120 to a user.

Wristband 110 may include multiple straps (e.g., two straps) or may beformed from a single piece of flexible material (e.g., rubber,silicone). If wristband 110 includes multiple straps, wristband 110 mayinclude a fastening system that allows the straps to be removablyfastened together. Such a fastening system may allow for thecircumference of the wristband to be expanded and contracted to fit thewrists of various sized wearers. If wristband 110 is formed from asingle piece of material, to attach with a user's wrist, processing unit120 may be decoupled from wristband 110, thus allowing wristband 110 tobe slipped off of the user's wrist.

Processing unit 120 may be removably coupled with wristband 110 inaccordance with the various embodiments detailed herein in relation toFIGS. 2A through 18D. Processing unit 120 may include: location sensor121, processor 123, audio input 124, accelerometer 125, audio output126, communication interface 127, display 128, and power interface 129.Location sensor 121 may be a sensor unit that received power from powerinterface 129. Location sensor 121 may be global positioning system(GPS) sensor or other form of satellite-based positioning system sensor.Processor 123 may be a general purpose or specialized processor that isin communication with location sensor 121, accelerometer 125, andcommunication interface 127, and receives power from power interface129. In some embodiments, multiple processors are present as part ofprocessing unit 120.

Accelerometer 125 may be used to determine motion of processing unit120, and, in turn, of the user who is wearing the tracker device thatincludes processing unit 120. In some embodiments, multipleaccelerometers and/or one or more gyroscopes may be present.Accelerometer 125 may be in communication with processor 123 andreceives power from power interface 129. Generally, accelerometer 125and location sensor 121 may be referred to as “activity sensors,” sincelocation and/or acceleration can be used to determine an activity beingperformed. Communication interface 127 may include one or more wirelesscommunication circuits (or wired communication circuits) thatcommunicate with one or more remote computerized devices. For instance,communication interface 127 may communicate using the IEEE 802.11standard set, IEEE 802.15.4 standard set, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, Z-wave®or some other wireless communication protocol. Communication interface127 may include one or more antennas and may be in communication withprocessor 123 and may receive power from power interface 129.

Audio input 124 and audio output 126 may enable two-way communicationbetween a wearer and a remote person, such as a caretaker or parent, viacommunication interface 127. Audio input 124 may be an on-boardmicrophone and audio output 126 may be a speaker. To enable thecommunication link, a wearer may push (and hold) a button on processingunit 120. This may enable a two-way communication link between thewearer and a predefined remote user's device, such as a smartphone oranother processing unit. Audio received by audio input 124 may bepacketized and transmitted via communication interface 127 to the remoteuser's device via one or more networks. Audio transmitted by the remoteuser's device may be received in packetized form by communicationinterface 127 and output by audio output 126.

Power interface 129 may include one or more electrical connectors thatare configured to receive power from power source 130 when power source130 is coupled with processing unit 120. Depending on the embodiment,processing unit 120 may be permanently coupled with power source 130 ormay be removably coupled. In some embodiments, power interface 129 maybe integrated with one or more magnets used to removably coupleprocessing unit 120 with wristband 110. In other embodiments, powerinterface 129 may include one or more contacts that are configured toconnect with counterpart contacts of power source 130 to receive power.Power interface 129 may distribute power to the various other componentsof processing unit 120.

One or more displays, such as display 128 may be present on processingunit 120. Display 128 may be used to display information to a user.Display 128 may take the form of lights that can be illuminated invarious patterns by processor 123. Such lights may be illuminated usingvarious colors. Display 128 may be a form of electronic display, such asan LCD or OLED display, for presenting text and/or graphics to a user.

Processing unit 120 includes a housing which houses location sensor 121,processor 123, accelerometer 125, communication interface 127, and powerinterface 129. Power interface 129 may be the only component ofprocessing unit 120 that is partially exposed from the housing. Such ahousing may make processing unit 120 water resistant or water proof.Further, such a housing may be permanently sealed such that a usercannot easily access the individual components of processing unit 120.

Depending on the embodiment, power source 130 may be removably coupledwith processing unit 120 and/or wristband 110. In some embodiments,power source 130 is permanently housed within or on wristband 110. Forinstance, in one or more straps of wristband 110, power source 130 maybe housed. Therefore, in such embodiments, to recharge power source 130,wristband 110 may be removed from a user's wrist and connected withrecharger 140. Power source 130 may include one or more power interfacesthat are configured to couple with and supply power to power interface129 when power source 130 is coupled with processing unit 120. Forexample, if power source 130 is permanently coupled with and housed bywristband 110, power source 130 may have one or more power interfacesthat are electrically connected with power interface 129 when processingunit 120 is removably coupled with wristband 110.

In some embodiments, tracker device system 100 may include multiplepower sources 130. While a first power source is coupled with recharger140 and recharging, a second power source may be connected withprocessing unit 120 and providing power to power interface 129 to powerthe various components of processing unit 120. If, for example, powersource 130 is permanently incorporated with wristband 110, twowristbands may be present, each with a power source that can bealternatively connected with processing unit 120 and recharger 140.

Recharger 140 may be a device configured to be connected to a householdpower supply (e.g., an outlet) to receive 110 V or 220 V power which isused to charge power source 130. Recharger 140 may have one or morepower interfaces that can be connected with a power interface of powersource 130 to recharge power source 130. The same power interface ofpower source 130 that is used to electrically connect with powerinterface 129 may be used to electrically connect with a power interfaceof recharger 140.

Pendant 150 represents an alternate way in which processing unit 120,and, possibly, power source 130, can be worn by a user. In someembodiments, a power source may be permanently integrated with pendant150. Therefore, for example, a user may removably couple processing unit120 and/or power source 130 with pendant 150 such that the user wearsprocessing unit 120 and power source 130 around his neck rather thanusing wristband 110 to wear such components on his wrist. While pendant150 is an example of how a user may alternatively wear processing unit120, it should be understood that other physical mechanisms may be usedto removably carry processing unit 120 and power source 130 on a user'sbody.

Tracker device system 100 or two-way communication device system 100 maybe worn by a user on a wrist or ankle using the removable attachmentembodiments detailed in FIGS. 2A-16. FIGS. 2A-6E represent an embodimentof a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device. It should beunderstood that all the embodiments detailed in this document may beused for tracking a user and/or two-way communication. Amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device can use one or moremagnets to removably attach a processing unit to sections of a removableband. FIG. 2A illustrates an angled view of a magnetically-coupledmulti-piece tracker device (MMTD) 200 with its components coupledtogether. MMTD 200 includes processing unit 220 and removable wristbandsections 210 (which includes removable wristband section 210-1 andremovable wristband section 210-2, also referred to as “band sections”).MMTD 200 is designed to allow easy coupling and decoupling of processingunit 220 from removable band sections 210. One or more batteries (oranother form of power source) may be housed in removable band sections210. Thus, to allow the processing unit 220 to be worn by the user andhave sufficient power, removable band sections 210 may be worn whileanother pair of removable band sections 210 are being charged.Processing unit 220 is represented in FIG. 1 as processing unit 120.FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded angled view of an MMTD 200. When viewedin exploded form, magnets 230 (which include magnets 230-1, 230-2,230-3, and 230-4) are visible. Magnet 230-1 may couple with magnet 230-3and, possibly, magnet 230-4. Magnet 230-2 may couple with magnet 230-4and, possibly, magnet 230-3. As such, in some embodiments, processingunit 220 can be reversed. Details of the individual components of MMTD200 are discussed in relation to FIGS. 3A-6E.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of MMTD 200. Processing unit 220, whenviewed from the top, may have pinched sides. Processing unit 220, whencoupled with removable band section 210-1 and removable band section210-2, may form a smooth surface. FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom view ofMMTD 200. Removable band section 210-2 and removable band section 210-1may taper from a thicker region located near processing unit 220 to athinner region designed to sit on an inside of a user's wrist. FIG. 3Cillustrates a side view of MMTD 200. From such a side view, it can beseen that in some embodiments a top surface of processing unit 220 issubstantially flat with an indented center version (which may serve asan auxiliary display). FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of MMTD 200. Fromthe side, a display of processing unit 220 is visible. Depending onwhether a user is wearing MMTD 200 on his left or right wrist, it may bedesirable to have the display of processing unit 220 facing away fromthe user's hand to make a display more easily visible to the user.Referring to FIG. 3A, it may be possible to remove processing unit 220,rotate it 180° and re-couple processing unit 220 with removable bandsections 210. Alternatively, a user may first remove the entire MMTD 200from his wrist and rotate MMTD 180° if the user desires the display ofprocessing unit 220 to be facing the opposite direction.

FIG. 4A illustrates an angled view of removable band section 210-1 of anMMTD. FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of removable band section 210-1 ofan MMTD. Removable band section 210-1 may include recessed magnethousing 401, slide paths 402, coupling holes 403, housing 404, battery405, and flexible band 406. Recessed magnet housing 401 may be used tohouse a magnet. Such a magnet may be permanently or removably coupledwith recessed magnet housing 401. When a magnet is present withinrecessed magnet housing 401, the magnet may couple with another magnetor a piece of metal located on a flush or nearly flush surface ofprocessing unit 220 (when processing unit 220 is coupled with removableband section 210-1). While recessed magnet housing 401 is shown ascircular to accommodate a cylindrical magnet, it should be understoodthat such a shape is merely exemplary. Recessed magnet housing 401 maybe alternatively shaped to accommodate other shapes of magnets. In someembodiments, recessed magnet housing 401 may house a piece of metalrather than a magnet. Such a piece of metal may removably engage with amagnet present on a flush or nearly flush surface of processing unit 220when processing unit 220 is coupled with removable band section 210-1.

Slide paths 402 (which include slide paths 402-1 and slide paths 402-2)are slots present on housing 404 that receive sliders located onprocessing unit 220. When sliders are engaged in slide paths 402,magnetic force between the magnet present in recessed magnet housing 401and on the processing unit may prevent the sliders of the processingunit from inadvertently sliding out of slide paths 402. Sliders may havean enlarged region to prevent sliders of processing unit 220 from beingpulled from slide paths 402 via force applied as indicated by arrows 201and 202 of FIG. 3A. Further, when sliders are partially engaged in slidepaths 402, the attraction between the two magnets or one magnet andmetal may serve to “snap” the sliders into a fully engaged position withslide paths 402. Arrow 410 illustrates the engagement and disengagementpaths of sliders with slide paths 402. Notably, processing unit 220 maybe attached and detached from a wrist-side of housing 404 (that is, theside of housing 404 proximate to a user's wrist when being worn), thuspreventing processing unit 220 from being detached while MMTD 200 isattached to a user's wrist. Slide paths 402 may cease or be obstructedaway from the user's wrist such that processing unit 220 cannot beremoved or installed from a top side of removable band sections 210.

Housing 404 may be shaped to form slide paths 402 and recessed magnethousing 401. Further, housing 404 may house a battery (or other form ofpower source, such as a capacitor or power generator) that is used topower processing unit 220. Housing 404 may be rigid or semi-rigid toprotect battery 405. Battery 405 may be permanently housed withinhousing 404 and may not be removed from removable band section 210-1.

Flexible band 406 may be more flexible than housing 404, such as beingmade of rubber or silicone. Present on flexible band 406 may be aplurality of coupling holes 403 that can be used to adjust the totalcircumference of MMTD 200 to accommodate different wrist circumferences.

FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of removable band section 210-1 of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device. Visible in FIG. 4C areenlarged slide paths regions 407, which include enlarged slide pathregion 407-1 and enlarged slide path region 407-2. Such enlarged slidepath regions 407 may accommodate similarly shaped portions of thesliders of processing unit 220. Further, present within slide paths 402may be electrical connections, such as metallic connectors, which allowprocessing unit 220 to receive power from battery 405 located withinhousing 404. Alternatively, the magnet present within recessed magnethousing 401 may serve as an electrical connector to allow power to betransferred from battery 405 to processing unit 220. The same electricalconnectors used to obtain power from battery 405 and supply such part ofprocessing unit 220 may also be used to charge battery 405 whenprocessing unit 220 has been removed from removable band section 210-1.In some embodiments, a different form of power source is used instead ofbattery 405.

FIG. 4D illustrates a side view of removable band section 210-1 of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device and FIG. 4E illustratesa bottom view of removable band section 210-1 of a magnetically-coupledmulti-piece tracker device. In such views coupling holes 403 arevisible.

FIG. 5A illustrates an angled view of removable band section 210-2 of amagnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device. FIG. 5B illustrates aside view of removable band section 210-2 of a magnetically-coupledmulti-piece tracker device. Removable band section 210-2 may includerecessed magnet housing 501, slide paths 502, adjustable coupling pegs503, housing 504, battery 505, and flexible band 506. Recessed magnethousing 501 may be used to house a magnet. Such a magnet may bepermanently or removably coupled with recessed magnet housing 501. Whena magnet is present within recessed magnet housing 501, the magnet maycouple with another magnet or a piece of metal located on a flush ornearly flush surface of processing unit 220 (when processing unit 220 iscoupled with removable band section 210-1). While recessed magnethousing 501 is shown as circular to accommodate a cylindrical magnet, itshould be understood that such a shape is merely exemplary. Recessedmagnet housing 501 may be alternatively shaped to accommodate othershapes of magnets. In some embodiments, recessed magnet housing 501 mayhouse a piece of metal rather than a magnet. Such a piece of metal mayremovably engage with a magnet present on a flush or nearly flushsurface of processing unit 220 when processing unit 220 is coupled withremovable band section 210-1.

Slide paths 502 (which includes slide paths 502-1 and slide paths 502-2)are slots present on housing 504 that receive sliders located onprocessing unit 220 and may function similarly to thepreviously-detailed slide paths 402. Housing 504 may be shaped to formslide paths 502 and recessed magnetic housing 501. Further, housing 504may house a battery (or other form of power source, such as a capacitoror power generator) that is used to power processing unit 220. Housing504 may be rigid or semi-rigid to protect battery 505. Battery 505 maybe permanently housed within housing 504 and may not be removed fromremovable band section 210-1. In some embodiments, only either housing404 or 504 houses a power source. In some embodiments, both housings 404and 504 house power sources used to power processing unit 220.

Flexible band 506 may be more flexible than housing 504, such as beingmade of rubber or silicone. Present on flexible band 506 may be one ormore coupling pegs 503 that can be used to adjust the totalcircumference of MMTD 200 to accommodate different wrist circumferences.Coupling pegs 503 may be removably inserted into coupling holes 403. Itshould be understood that other forms of buckling or temporary couplingarrangements may be used to connect removable band section 210-1 withremovable band section 210-2.

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of removable band section 210-2 of anMMTD. Visible in FIG. 5C are enlarged slide paths regions 507, whichinclude enlarged slide path region 507-1 and enlarged slide path region507-2. Such enlarged slide path regions 507 may accommodate similarlyshaped portions of the sliders of processing unit 220. Further, if abattery 505 is present within removable band section 210-1, presentwithin slide path regions 507 may be electrical connections, such asmetallic connectors, which allow processing unit 220 to receive powerfrom battery 505 located within housing 504 via metallic connectorspresent on sliders of processing unit 220. Alternatively, the magnetpresent within recessed magnet housing 501 may serve as one of theelectrical connectors to allow power to be transferred from battery 505to processing unit 220. The same electrical connectors used to obtainpower from battery 505 and supply such part of processing unit 220 mayalso be used to charge battery 505 when processing unit 220 has beenremoved from removable band section 210-1.

Additionally, FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of removable band section210-2 and FIG. 5E illustrates a bottom view of removable band section210-2 of a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device.

FIG. 6A illustrates an angled top view of processing unit 220 of anMMTD. Processing unit 220 is configured to be coupled with and decoupledfrom removable band sections 210. Processing unit 220, which representsan embodiment of processing unit 120, may additionally include: housing601, communication lights 602, display 603, sliders 604, enlargedsliders sections 605, and recessed magnet housing 606.

Housing 601 may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as ahard plastic. Part of housing 601 may be recessed magnet housing 606.Recessed magnet housing 606 may be used to house a magnet. Such a magnetmay be permanently or removably coupled with recessed magnet housing606. When a magnet is present within recessed magnet housing 606, themagnet may couple with another magnet or a piece of metal located on aflush or nearly flush surface of a removable band section (whenprocessing unit 220 is coupled with the removable band section). Whilerecessed magnet housing 606 is shown as circular to accommodate acylindrical magnet, it should be understood that such a shape is merelyexemplary. Recessed magnet housing 606 may be alternatively shaped toaccommodate other shapes of magnets. In some embodiments, recessedmagnet housing 606 may house a piece of metal rather than a magnet. Sucha piece of metal may removably engage with a magnet present on a flushor nearly flush surface of a removable band section when processing unit220 is coupled with the removable band section.

Also present as part of (or attached to) housing 601 may be sliders 604(which include slider 604-1 and slider 604-2) and enlarged slidersections 605 (which include enlarged slider section 605-1 and enlargedslider section 605-2). Sliders 604 may removably slide into slide paths502. Sliders 604 may only be slid into slide paths 502 from below (wherea user's wrist is located when worn). Slide paths 502 end beforereaching a top surface of the removable band sections to preventprocessing unit 220 from being slid off of slide paths 502 away from auser's wrist. Enlarged slider sections 605 serve to keep processing unit220 coupled with the removable band sections even if force is applied topull the removable band sections away from processing unit 220. In someembodiments, four sliders 604 (and four associated enlarged slidersections 605) are present on processing unit 220.

Enlarged slider section 605 and/or sliders 604 may include electricalconnectors configured to receive power from one or more power sourcesthat are located within removable band sections. If power sources arelocated within both removable band sections with which processing unit220 is to be connected, electrical connectors may be present on some orall enlarged slider sections 605 and/or sliders 604 on each side ofprocessing unit 220. In some embodiments, even if a power source is onlylocated within a single removable band section, electrical connectorsmay be present on enlarged slider section 605 and sliders 604 on eachside of processing unit 220 to enable the ability for the user toreverse the orientation of processing unit 220 with respect to theremovable bands.

When magnets 230-3 and 230-4 are coupled with magnets 230-1 and 320-2and sliders 604 are fully inserted in slide paths 402 and 502,electrical connectors present on processing unit 220 may be properlyaligned with electrical connectors present on removable band section210-1 and removable band section 210-2, thus allowing power from battery405 and/or 505 to be transmitted to processing unit 220.

Processing unit 220 may have two ways of displaying information:communication lights 602 (which can include communication light 602-1,communication light 602-2, and communication light 602-3), and display603. Communication lights 602 may present various pieces of informationor alerts to a user. For instance communication lights 602 may beilluminated in various patterns or using various colors to providevarious pieces of information to the user. In other embodiments, a feweror greater number of communication lights 602 may be present. Display603 may provide more detailed information to the user, such as in theform of graphics and/or text.

FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of processing unit 220 of an MMTD. Ascan be seen in FIG. 6B, processing unit 220 may be curved such that itbetter conforms to a user's wrist. Inner surface 610 may have a curvewhich may allow processing unit 220 to sit well on the user's wrist.FIG. 6C illustrates another side view of processing unit 220 of an MMTD.FIG. 6D illustrates a top view of processing unit 220 and FIG. 6Eillustrates a bottom view of processing unit 220 of an MMTD. In FIG. 6E,both recessed magnet housings (606 and 611) of processing unit 220 arevisible. Similarly, all four sliders (604-1, 604-2, 604-3, and 604-4)with associated enlarged slider sections (605-1, 605-2, 605-3, and605-4) are visible.

In another embodiment of a tracker device, a battery unit is firstremovably attached with a processing unit while the two components areseparated from a flexible band housing. Once the battery unit isconnected with the processing unit, the combined unit may be insertedinto the flexible band housing. In some embodiments, the combined unitmay be inserted in other forms of housing, such as a pendant (such aspendant 150 of FIG. 1) for a user to wear around his neck. FIG. 7Aillustrates an angled view of a removable component tracker device 700in which all components (battery unit, processing unit, and flexibleband housing) are assembled. Removable component tracker device 700represents a possible implementation of components of tracker devicesystem 100 of FIG. 1. In this assembled position, removable componenttracker device 700 may be suitable to be attached to a user's wrist orankle. FIG. 7B illustrates an exploded view of a removable componenttracker device 700. In FIG. 7B, flexible band housing 710 (whichcorresponds to wristband 110), processing unit 720 (which corresponds toprocessing unit 120), and battery unit 730 (which corresponds to powersource 130) are present. Each of these components are detailed in FIGS.8A-13B.

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of a removable component tracker devicewith the battery unit, processing unit, and flexible band housingassembled together. FIG. 8B illustrates a bottom view of a removablecomponent tracker device. FIG. 8C illustrates a first side view of aremovable component tracker device. FIG. 8D illustrates a second sideview of a removable component tracker device. Similarly to FIG. 8A,removable component tracker device 700 is illustrated with the batteryunit, processing unit, and flexible band housing assembled together inFIGS. 8B-8D. FIG. 9A illustrates the second side view of FIG. 8D with anindication of a cross section 910. FIG. 9B illustrates cross section 910denoted in FIG. 9A. As can be seen in FIG. 9B, portions of a bottomsurface of battery unit 730 and processing unit 720 may remain visiblewhen installed within flexible band housing 710.

FIG. 10A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of processing unit720 of a removable component tracker device. FIG. 10B illustrates a topview of an embodiment of processing unit 720 of a removable componenttracker device. FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment ofprocessing unit 720 of a removable component tracker device. FIG. 10Dillustrates a first side view of an embodiment of processing unit 720 ofa removable component tracker device. Present on a top surface (whichfaces away from a user's wrist when installed in a flexible bandhousing) of processing unit 720 may be display 1001 and communicationlight 1002. Processing unit 720 may have two ways of displayinginformation: communication light 1002 and display 1001. Communicationlight 1002 may present various pieces of information or alerts to auser. For instance, communication light 1002 may be illuminated invarious patterns or using various colors to provide various pieces ofinformation to the user. In other embodiments, greater numbers ofcommunication lights may be present. Display 1001 may provide moredetailed information to the user, such as in the form of graphics and/ortext. Display 1001 may be raised or protrude from a surface of housing1003 of processing unit 720. By display 1001 being raised, when coupledwith flexible band housing 710, raised display 1001 may extend into orthrough a top window opening on flexible band housing 710. In someembodiments, rather than display 1001 being present, only housing 1003may be present possibly with fixed text present on housing 1003. Such anarrangement may be desirable if an active display is not needed. In someembodiments, such as a device focused on two-way communication, display1001 may be replaced with a button that enables the two-waycommunication link between the wearer and a remote person.

In some embodiments, rather than display 1001 being present, this regionis a button. Such a large button may be easily pressed by an elderlyperson. In response to pushing or holding down of such a button, anemergency signal may be transmitted to a caretaker.

FIG. 10E illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of processingunit 720 of a removable component tracker device. Visible in FIG. 10D iselectrical connector 1008. Electrical connector 1008 may serve toconnect processing unit 720 with a battery unit or some other form ofpower supply. When processing unit 720 has been removed from flexibleband housing 710, a battery unit may then be detached from electricalconnector 1008 of processing unit 720 (if such a battery unit isconnected) and another better unit may be attached to electricalconnector 1008 of processing unit 720 before processing unit 720 and thebattery unit are reinstalled into flexible band housing 710. Therefore,processing unit 720 and battery unit 730 are installed as a single unitinto flexible band housing 710.

Also visible in FIG. 10E is tab lock 1007. Tab lock 1007 may serve toreceive a tab of a battery unit when a battery unit is coupled withelectrical connector 1008. Tab lock 1007 may serve to help couple thebattery unit with processing unit 720. Therefore, the battery unit mayhave two points of connection to processing unit 720: electricalconnector 1008 and tab lock 1007.

FIG. 10F illustrates a third side view of an embodiment of processingunit 720 of a removable component tracker device. Visible from the thirdside view of processing unit 720 is speaker opening 1004. Speakeropening 1004 may facilitate sound being output from an underlyingspeaker. The underlying speaker, in combination with a microphone ofprocessing unit 720 may enable two-way audio communication. For example,a user may push a button (which may be in place of display 1001) toinitiate communication and may then have a two-way conversation using anon-board microphone and a speaker that output sounds through speakeropening 1004. In FIG. 10F, arrow 1005 shows how a battery unit can beattached and detached from processing unit 720. Therefore, asillustrated, it can be seen that a battery unit fits into a recessedregion of processing unit 720. When a battery unit is coupled withprocessing unit 720, the battery unit may be shaped such as to match anexterior contour of processing unit 720 and fit in recessed region 1006.

FIG. 11A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of battery unit 730of a removable component tracker device. While FIGS. 11A-11F refer to abattery unit, such embodiments may take another form of power source,such as a capacitor. FIG. 11B illustrates a top view of an embodiment ofbattery unit 730 of a removable component tracker device. FIG. 11Cillustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of battery unit 730 of aremovable component tracker device. FIG. 11D illustrates a first sideview of an embodiment of battery unit 730 of a removable componenttracker device. Visible on battery unit 730 is tab 1102 and electricalconnector 1101. Electrical connector 1101 may serve to electricallyconnect a battery unit 730 with processing unit 720. Via electricalconnector 1101, when connected with a processing unit, battery unit 730may supply the processing unit with power. When disconnected from aprocessing unit, it may be possible to charge battery unit 730 viaelectrical connector 1101 by using a recharger, such as recharger 140 ofFIG. 1. Housing 1103 of battery unit 730 may be made of a rigid orsemi-rigid material, such as a hard plastic.

Tab 1102 may be a protruding portion of housing 1103. Tab 1102 maymechanically connect with a tablet lock such as tab lock 1007 of FIG.10E. When battery unit 730 is attached with processing unit 720,electrical connector 1008 of processing unit 720 may connect withelectrical connector 1000 and one of battery units 730. At the sametime, tab 1102 of battery unit 730 may connect with tab lock 1007 ofprocessing unit 720. When tab 1102 is connected with tab lock 1007,movement of battery unit 730 in the direction indicated by arrow 1010may be prevented.

As detailed in relation to FIG. 10F, battery unit 730 may be shaped tofit in a recessed region 1006 of processing unit 720. FIG. 11Eillustrates a second side view of an embodiment of battery unit 730 of aremovable component tracker device. FIG. 11F illustrates a third sideview of an embodiment of battery unit 730 of a removable componenttracker device.

FIG. 12A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of flexible bandhousing 710 of a removable component tracker device. Flexible bandhousing 710 may include component housing 1201 which forms componentcavity 1205, band section 1202, and flexible band section 1203.Component housing 1201 may be composed of a rigid, semi-rigid, orflexible material. Component housing 1201 may form component cavity 1205in which the components of processing unit 720 and battery unit 730 areinserted. Component cavity 1205 as formed by component housing 1201 mayhave two distinct windows: a bottom window 1213 (which is proximate to auser's wrist) that allows processing unit 720 and battery unit 730 to beinstalled (while coupled together) and removed (while coupled together),and top window 1212, which faces away from the user's wrist and allowsdisplay 1001 to be visible to user wearing flexible band housing 710.

Band section 1202 and flexible band section 1203 may be composed of thesame material as component housing 1201. For instance, all threesections may be made from a same flexible material, such as silicone orrubber. Alternatively, these three sections may be made from two orthree different materials. In some embodiments, component housing 1201is made from a rigid or semi-rigid material, band section 1202 is madefrom a semi-rigid or flexible material, and flexible band section 1203is made from a flexible material.

Port 1206, as defined by component housing 1201, may allow sounds froman underlying speaker (audio output 126) to more easily be projectedinto the ambient environment to be heard by a user while processing unit720 is installed within flexible band housing 710. For instance, port1206 may be useful when being used as a two-way communication device.

FIG. 12B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of flexible bandhousing 710 of a removable component tracker device. In FIG. 12B, it canbe seen that component housing 1201 increases in width towards itscenter, away from band section 1202. FIG. 12C illustrates a bottom viewof an embodiment of flexible band housing 710 of a removable componenttracker device. FIG. 12D illustrates a side view of an embodiment offlexible band housing 710 of a removable component tracker device.Present on flexible band section 1203-1 may be one or more coupling pegs1211 (of which a single coupling peg 1211-1 is visible in FIG. 12D) thatcan be used to adjust the total circumference of flexible band hosing710 to accommodate different wrist (or ankle) circumferences. Couplingpegs 1211 may be removably inserted input coupling holes 1210 present onflexible band section 1203-2. It should be understood that other formsof buckling or temporary coupling arrangements may be used to connectflexible band section 1203-1 with flexible band section 1203-2.

FIG. 13A illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of a flexibleband housing of a removable component tracker with an indication ofcross section 1301. In FIG. 13A, coupling peg 1211-1 and coupling peg1211-2 are visible. In other embodiments, a greater or fewer number ofcoupling pegs may be present or an alternative way of removably couplingflexible band section 1203-1 with flexible band section 1203-2 may beused. FIG. 13B illustrates cross section 1301 denoted in FIG. 13A. InFIG. 13B, bottom window 1213 is visible. Bottom window 1213 may belarger than top window 1212 present on component housing 1201. Bottomwindow 1213 may allow processing unit 720 which is coupled with batteryunit 730, to be installed as a unit within component cavity 1205. Wheninserting the unit composed of processing unit 720 and battery unit 730,component housing 1201 may be flexed by user to insert the combined unitthrough bottom window 1213. Since the combined unit is installed throughbottom window 1213, installation or removal of the combined unit mayonly occur when flexible band housing 710 is removed from the user'swrist. Top window 1212 may be sized to not be large enough to allow thecombined unit of processing unit 720 and battery unit 730 to be insertedor removed from component cavity 1205. In some embodiments, if componenthousing 1201 is made of a rigid material, a region around bottom window1213 may be present that is made of a different, more flexible materialto allow the combined unit of processing unit 720 and battery unit 730to be installed and removed from component cavity 1205.

In another embodiment of the tracker device of FIG. 1, processing unit120 may be permanently coupled with power source 130 (e.g., one or morebatteries) in a single housing. Wristband 110 may be made of a singlepiece of material and may be removably coupled with the combinedprocessing and battery unit by the combined processing and battery unitbeing slid into an opening in a housing present on wristband 110. FIG.14A illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a slide-coupledtracker device (SCTD) 1400. FIG. 14B illustrates an exploded angled viewof an embodiment of a slide-coupled tracker device. SCTD 1400 representsan embodiment of tracker device 100 of FIG. 1. SCTD 1400 may include:slide-coupled single-piece wristband 1410, combined processing andbattery unit 1420, and wristband clasp 1430. Both combined processingand battery unit 1420 and wristband clasp 1430 may be removably coupledwith single-piece wristband 1410. Each of these components are detailedin relation to the figures that follow.

FIG. 15A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a SCTD with combinedprocessing and battery unit 1420 and wristband clasp 1430 coupledtogether. FIG. 15B illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a SCTDwith combined processing and battery unit 1420 and wristband clasp 1430coupled together. FIG. 15C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of aSCTD with combined processing and battery unit 1420 and wristband clasp1430 coupled together. FIG. 15D illustrates another side view of anembodiment of a SCTD with combined processing and battery unit 1420 andwristband clasp 1430 coupled together. When combined processing andbattery unit 1420 is inserted within a housing of single-piece wristband1410, a portion of combined processing and battery unit 1420 may remainvisible on either side of single-piece wristband 1410 as seen in FIG.15A. A user may be able to remove single piece processing and batteryunit 1420 from single-piece wristband 1410 by pushing or pullingcombined processing and battery unit 1420 in accordance with arrow 1421.In FIG. 15C, it can be seen that a top portion of single-piece wristband1410 is flared to accommodate combined processing and battery unit 1420.

FIG. 16A illustrates an angled top view of an embodiment ofslide-coupled single-piece wristband 1410. FIG. 16B illustrates a sideview of an embodiment of slide-coupled single-piece wristband 1410. FIG.16C illustrates a second view of an embodiment of slide-coupledsingle-piece wristband 1410. The single-piece wristband 1410 may be wornby user when a combined processing and battery unit 1420 is and is notinstalled. Further, single-piece wristband 1410 may permit a user toremove and install processing and battery unit 1420 while single-piecewristband 1410 is being worn by the user. Single-piece wristband 1410may include: housing 1610, slot 1625, wristband sections 1630, wristbandsections 1640, clasp coupling holes 1645, and clasp mounting bracket1650.

Housing 1610 may form slot 1625. Slot 1625 may be configured to receivea combined processing and battery unit from either side of housing 1610.Slot 1625 may be sized such that friction is present to hold thecombined processing and battery unit in place within housing 1610.Present on a top service of housing 1610 may be window 1620. Window 1620may allow a user to see if combined processing and battery unit 1420 ispresent within slot 1625 and/or may allow a user to view a displayscreen, press a button, and/or status lights present on combinedprocessing and battery unit 1420. In some embodiments, rather thanwindow 1620 being present, housing 1610 may be extended to cover thearea defined by window 1620 and, possibly, text or a logo may bepermanently presented on the housing at such a location. A button may bepresent on a top surface of combined processing and battery unit 1420 toallow a user to enable a two-way communication link with a remoteperson.

FIG. 16D illustrates a third side view of an embodiment of aslide-coupled single-piece wristband. FIG. 16E illustrates a bottom viewof an embodiment of a slide-coupled single-piece wristband. Wristbandsections 1630 (which includes wristband section 1630-1 and wristbandsection 1630-2) may be made from a flexible or semi rigid material.Housing 1610, in contrast, may be made from a rigid material. In someembodiments, housing 1610 is made from the same material as wristbandsections 1630; that is, both components may be made from a semi-rigid orflexible material. Wristband sections 1640 (which include wristbandsection 1640-1 and wristband section 1640-2) may allow a user to expandor contract single-piece wristband 1410 to fit wrists or ankles ofdifferent sizes. Coupling holes 1645 may be configured to receive awristband clasp 1430.

A wristband clasp may be configured to be inserted into clasp mountingbracket 1650 present on wristband section 1640-1. A portion of thewristband clasp may pass through clasp mounting bracket 1650 andremovably couple with one or more coupling holes 1645 present onwristband section 1640-2. A user may adjust the particular couplingholes 1645 to which clasp mounting bracket 1650 couples in order tocontrol an inner circumference of slide-coupled single-piece wristband1410.

For SCTD 1400, a processing unit (e.g., processing unit 120 of FIG. 1)and one or more batteries (e.g., power source 130) may be permanentlyhoused together. As such, to charge combined processing and battery unit1420, combined processing and battery unit 1420 may be removed fromsingle-piece wristband 1410 and coupled with recharger 140. Combinedprocessing and battery unit 1420 may also be coupled with a pendant 150and worn around a user's neck. FIG. 17A illustrates an angled top viewof an embodiment of a combined processing and battery unit. Combinedprocessing and battery unit 1420 may include: housing 1701, display1702, electrical contacts 1703, lock flex sections 1705, and lockprotrusions 1707. FIG. 17B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of acombined processing and battery unit.

Housing 1701 may house a processing unit and one or more battery units.Such processing unit and one or more battery units may not be separatedby user from each other. Housing 1701 may be a rigid material and may bewaterproof to protect the combined processing and battery unit. In someembodiments, display 1702 is present. Display 1702 may presentinformation to user through window 1620 when installed in single-piecewristband 1410. Further, display 1702 may be able to present informationto a user when combined processing and battery unit 1420 is notinstalled in single-piece wristband 1410. In some embodiments, ratherthan display 1702 being present, a button may be present that can bedepressed by a user to enable a two-way communication link with a remoteperson.

FIG. 17C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of combined processingand battery unit 1420. Present on the side of combined processing andbattery unit 1420 may be electrical connectors 1703 (which includeelectrical connectors 1703-1 and electrical connectors 1703-2).Electrical connectors 1703 may permit the one or more batteries presentwithin combined processing and battery unit 1420 to be recharged.Combined processing and battery unit 1420 may be removed fromsingle-piece wristband 1410 and installed in a recharger that provideselectricity to electrical connectors 1703. In some embodiments,electrical connectors 1703 may be used for data transfer via a wiredconnection with a computerized device in addition to being used forcharging.

FIG. 17D illustrates a second side view of an embodiment of combinedprocessing and battery unit 1420. FIG. 17E illustrates a third side viewof an embodiment of combined processing and battery unit 1420. FIG. 17Fillustrates a fourth side view of an embodiment of combined processingand battery unit 1420. FIG. 17G illustrates a bottom view of anembodiment of combined processing and battery unit 1420. Lock flexsections 1705 (which include lock flex section 1705-1 and lock flexsection 1705-2) and lock protrusions 1707 (which include lock protrusion1707-1 and lock protrusion 1707-2) may help combined processing andbattery unit 1420 to remain in place within slot 1625. When a userinserts combined processing and battery unit 1420 into slot 1625, theinner surface of housing 1610 which forms slot 1625 may exert inwardpressure on lock protrusions 1707. Such pressure may cause lock flexsections 1705, which are permanently coupled with lock protrusions 1707,to flex inward. By lock flex sections 1705 flexing inward, lockprotrusions 1707 may move towards an interior of housing 1701 allowingcombined processing and battery unit 1420 to enter slot 1625. Present onthe inner surface of housing 1610 which forms slot 625 may be lockreceptacles that are configured to receive lock protrusions 1707. Lockreceptacles may provide a recessed space for lock protrusions 1707 suchthat lock flex section 1705 can flex outward to or toward an unflexedposition. By lock protrusion 1707 being seated in lock receptacles(which may be a circular recessed region centered on a sidewall of theinner surface of housing 1701 that forms slot 625), combined processingand battery unit 1420 may be held in place within slot 1625. If a userexerts sufficient pressure on combined processing and battery unit 1420,lock flex section 1705 may again be flexed inward and combinedprocessing and battery unit 1420 may be removed from slot 1625 by lockprotrusion 1707 being removed from lock receptacles located on theinterior surface of housing 1701.

FIG. 18A illustrates an angled top view of an embodiment of removablewristband clasp 1430. FIG. 18B illustrates a side view of an embodimentof removable wristband clasp 1430. FIG. 18C illustrates a second sideview of an embodiment of removable wristband clasp 1430. FIG. 18Dillustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of removable wristband clasp1430. Removable wristband clasp 1430 may include: pegs 1802, body 1803,and protrusion planes 1804. Pegs 1802 (which may include peg 1802-1 andpeg 1802-2) may be inserted into coupling holes 1645 of wristbandsection 1630-2. In other embodiments, removable wristband clasp 1430 mayhave a fewer or greater number of pegs 1802. Tops of pegs 1802 may beflared such that when inserted in mounting holes of wristband section1630-2, pegs 1802 remain in place until intentionally removed by user.

Body 1803 may be configured to be set in clasp mounting bracket 1650such that protrusion plane 1804-1 seats on an inside of clasp mountingbracket 1650 (near a user's wrist) and protrusion plane 1804-2 seats onan outside of clasp mounting bracket 1650. A user may remove wristbandclasp 1430 by flexing wristband clasp 1430 and/or clasp mounting bracket1650; each of these components may be made of a semi-rigid or flexiblematerial, thus allowing them to be flexed.

For the various detailed embodiments of FIGS. 2A-18D, features of onetracker device may be interchanged with another embodiment of a trackerdevice. For example, the magnetically-coupled processing unit of FIG. 2Amay be used in conjunction with the one-piece band of FIG. 14A. Asanother example, the single unit that is formed by attaching theprocessing unit and battery unit of FIG. 7B may be used in place of thesingle processing and battery unit of FIG. 14B. Various other featuresmay be interchanged among the embodiments.

Using the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-18D, various methods may be performed.FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of a method 1900 for swapping powersources for a magnetically-coupled multi-piece tracker device. Method1900 may be performed using an embodiment of an MMTD from FIGS. 2A-6E oranother similar tracker device. At block 1905, if the MMTD is being wornby a user, the user may first remove the MMTD from his wrist in order toswap out the battery (or other form of power source). At block 1910,once removed from the user's wrist, the user may move the processingunit of the MMTD toward an inside of the MMTD's wristband (which is atleast approximately where the user's wrist resided while being worn). Bythe user moving the processing unit toward the center of the MMTD, theprocessing unit may be disengaged from being linked with the removablebands of the wristband at block 1915. Sliders of the processing unit maythen disengage from slide paths at block 1920.

The processing unit may then be installed on one or more wristbands thathouse a battery that is charged. If only one section of the wristbandhouses a battery, only that section of the wristband may be swapped fora wristband section containing a charged battery. At block 1925, theprocessing unit may be moved towards the outside of the second wristband(or wristband that includes one section from the first wristband and asecond section that includes a charged power source). The motionresulting from block 1925 may cause the processing unit to engage withthe slide paths of the second wristband at block 1930. Further, thismotion, at block 1935 may cause magnets of the processing unit and/orthe wristband to engage, helping to snap the processing unit into thefully inserted position with the wristband. When fully inserted, variousmetallic contacts between one or both sections of the wristband mayengage with metallic contacts of the processing unit to allow for powerto be transferred from the battery of the wristband to the processingunit. In some embodiments, magnets may serve as one or more of themetallic contacts. At block 1940, the user may attach the MMTD to hiswrist by fastening the band sections of the wristband to each other.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a method for swapping power sourcesfor a removable component tracker device. Method 2000 may be performedusing an embodiment of an MMTD from FIGS. 7A-13B or another similartracker device. At block 2005, if the removable component tracker deviceis being worn by a user, the user may first remove the removablecomponent tracker device from his wrist in order to swap out the battery(or other form of power source). At block 2010, the bottom window of thecomponent housing may be flexed or otherwise distorted to allow a singleunit that includes a battery unit and a processing unit to be removed.Once removed from the component housing, the user may detach the batteryunit from the processing unit at block 2015. At block 2020, a more fullycharged battery unit may be connected with the processing unit at block2020. At block 2025, the bottom window of the component housing may beflexed or otherwise distorted to allow the single unit that includes thecharged battery unit and the processing unit to be inserted. At block2030, the user may attach the removable component tracker device to hiswrist. At block 2025, alternatively to installing the single unit in thecomponent housing, the user may attach the single unit to another deviceto be worn by the user, such as pendant 150 of FIG. 1, allowing thesingle unit of the removable component tracker device to be worn aroundthe user's neck.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousconfigurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations,the methods may be performed in an order different from that described,and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined. Also,features described with respect to certain configurations may becombined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elementsof the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and donot limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example configurations (including implementations).However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details.For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, andtechniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoidobscuring the configurations. This description provides exampleconfigurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, orconfigurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of theconfigurations will provide those skilled in the art with an enablingdescription for implementing described techniques. Various changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

Also, configurations may be described as a process which is depicted asa flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe theoperations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps notincluded in the figure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may beimplemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. Whenimplemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the programcode or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium.Processors may perform the described tasks.

Having described several example configurations, various modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departingfrom the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements maybe components of a larger system, wherein other rules may takeprecedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention.Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after theabove elements are considered.

What is claimed is:
 1. A two-way communication device, comprising: aprocessing unit, comprising: a housing, one or more processors; amicrophone, a speaker; a plurality of sliders; and a first electricalconnector for receiving power, wherein the one or more processors, themicrophone, and the speaker are housed by the housing; a wristband,comprising: a first band section and a second band section, wherein aplurality of slide paths present on the first band section and thesecond band section permit the processing unit to be removably coupledwith the first band section and the second band section by sliding theplurality of sliders into the plurality of slide paths from a wrist sideof the first band section and the second band section; one or moreintegrated power sources that are permanently housed within thewristband, the one or more integrated power sources having a secondelectrical connector to supply power to the processing unit when theprocessing unit is removably coupled with the wristband; and a pluralityof magnets to removably couple the processing unit with the first bandsection and the second band section of the wristband, wherein theplurality of magnets removably coupling the processing unit with thewristband causes the first electrical connector to be electricallyconnected with the second electrical connector.
 2. The two-waycommunication device of claim 1, wherein the one or more integratedpower sources are permanently housed within either the first bandsection, the second band section, or both the first band section and thesecond band section.
 3. The two-way communication device of claim 2,wherein the first band section comprises a first magnet of the pluralityof magnets and the second band section comprises a second magnet of theplurality of magnets, and the processing unit comprises a third magnetand fourth magnet of the plurality of magnets.
 4. The two-waycommunication device of claim 2, wherein the wristband further comprisesa fastening system to removably couple the first band section with thesecond band section.
 5. The two-way communication device of claim 1,wherein the second electrical connector is integrated with a magnet ofthe plurality of magnets.
 6. The two-way communication device of claim1, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) sensor thatreceives power from the one or more integrated power sources of thewristband.
 7. The two-way communication device of claim 6, wherein theprocessing unit comprises a wireless transmitter that is configured toperiodically transmit an indication of location of the two-waycommunication device determined using the GPS sensor.
 8. The two-waycommunication device of claim 1, wherein the one or more integratedpower sources are configured to be recharged via the second electricalconnector while the wristband is detached from the processing unit.
 9. Atwo-way communication apparatus, comprising: a processing unit,comprising: a housing means, a processing means; an audio input means,an audio output means; a plurality of sliding means; and a first powerconnection means, wherein the processing means, the audio input means,and the audio output means are housed by the housing means; a wristbandmeans, comprising: a first band section and a second band section,wherein a plurality of slide paths present on the first band section andthe second band section permit the processing unit to be removablycoupled with the first band section and the second band section bysliding the plurality of sliding means into the plurality of slide pathsfrom a wrist side of the first band section and the second band section;one or more integrated power means that are permanently housed withinthe wristband means, the one or more integrated power means having asecond power connection means to supply power to the processing unitwhen the processing unit is removably coupled with the wristband means;and a plurality of magnetic means to removably couple the processingunit with the first band section and the second band section of thewristband means, wherein the plurality of magnetic means removablycoupling the processing unit with the wristband means causes the firstpower connection means to electrically connect with the second powerconnection means.
 10. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 9,wherein the wristband means comprises the one or more integrated powermeans are permanently housed within either the first band section, thesecond band section, or both the first band section and the second bandsection.
 11. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe first band section comprises a first magnetic means of the pluralityof magnetic means and the second band section comprises a secondmagnetic means of the plurality of magnetic means, and the processingunit comprises a third magnetic means and fourth magnetic means of theplurality of magnetic means.
 12. The two-way communication apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the wristband means further comprises a fasteningmeans to removably couple the first band section with the second bandsection.
 13. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 9, wherein thesecond power connection means is integrated with a magnet of theplurality of magnetic means.
 14. The two-way communication apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) sensorthat receives power from the one or more integrated power means of thewristband means.
 15. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 9,wherein the processing unit comprises a wireless transmitting means thatis configured to packetized data comprising audio received via the audioinput means.
 16. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe one or more integrated power means are configured to be rechargedvia the second power connection means while the wristband means isdetached from the processing unit.